"We have guys who want to be here," said coach Lloyd. "They have played with heart and soul, a desire to win.

"If we can hold these guys for another year, get money in and add pieces around them, then we could have an unbelievable team.

"The wars these guys have been through already, and they keep giving their all, a year down the line imagine what they would be like."

Panthers, clearly, lack funding to compete with the BBL's best. And the fledgling organisation is learning painfully as it goes along. They do not have a full-time director with sole responsibility for running the club, nor significant sponsorship.

As the search for a replacement for Rivers continued, Lloyd said he was having to look closer to home.

"We are trying our best, we're having to see if there are any local guys or European-based players, who we would have a chance of getting in.

"It took such a long time the first time round getting the Americans in."

Tomorrow Panthers take on Leicester Riders at the Walsall Campus of Wolverhampton University (7pm), after visiting Worcester Wolves tonight (7pm).

Rob Paternostro (calf) could be fit for tomorrow but Wright (knee) is still out of action.

Paternostro collapsed in agony during Panthers last game a fortnight ago.

Lloyd added: "Probably Rob will play the home game. He's a warrior, he wants to be out there. Same as Cameron. But he's not ready."